HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Hanceville High School’s Abigail Brady will start her junior year in August and in this interview, she discusses her faith, and how God has helped her through some tough times in her life.
“God means so much to me. I wouldn’t be who I am today without Him. Walking with God has helped me in every aspect of my life. No matter what I go through, God always gives me peace and comfort in that season of my life. He has always been there for me to remind me that I’m His daughter, and that I was made for a purpose,” Brady said. “God has changed my life so much. I’ve gone through things in life that I don’t think I could’ve gone through so easily without God, because He brings me peace and strength. For example, I’ve always been bullied in school, and God has always given me comfort through those hardships and brought me out of them. I’ve also dealt with anxiety and worry, and when I spend time with God, He always gives me peace and makes me feel at ease. I’ve been a Christian since I was a young child, and I’ve always known God, but there is nothing like being close to Him and really seeking a relationship with Him. There is no love as great as His. You will see miracles and breakthroughs happen when you walk through life with God.”
Abigail shared some of her favorite verses, and she wants to help people of all ages find God.
“One of my favorite Bible verses is John 3:16: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life’. I love this verse, because it reminds me that God loves me and everyone else so much that He sent His one and only son to die for us so that we could have a relationship with Him and have eternal life. That verse helps me know my worth and how loved I am. When you have God, you have everything you need in life. I have dealt with anxiety in my life, so a verse that has helped me through that is 1 Peter 5:7: ‘Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you’. This verse reminds me that He can do the impossible, and heal my anxiety, because He loves and cares for me. It is a reminder that I can surrender to Him, and He will be here for me. I also love Song of Solomon 4:7: ‘You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you’. I love this verse, because it reminds me that He sees no flaw in me, and it makes me feel confident, because I’ve always been bullied in school and have gone through times being very insecure. This verse helps remind me that God made me in His image, and that He doesn’t make mistakes. He sees me beautifully. I’m His daughter, and He will always love me and see me as beautiful.”
Abigail added,
“It’s very important, because I want as many people as possible to get to heaven and know the love of God. As believers, it’s our mission to spread God’s word and His love. A Bible verse that stands out to me and is a good reminder about this subject is Matthew 28:19: ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and the Holy Spirit’. We are to spread the gospel and be a light for others. One of my favorite sayings is, ‘You may be the only Bible that some people read’. I love this saying, because some people might not have grown up in church or in a Christian home, and you may be the only example that they have, and you could change their life forever. It is important as a believer to shine God’s light for everyone. Another say I absolutely love is, ‘Someone’s eternity is more important than your comfort zone’. Stepping out in faith and being out of your comfort zone can change someone’s life, and that is more important than being shy and worried about stepping out, because God calls us to further His kingdom, and spread His word. It is important for people of all ages to find God, because it is never too late to give your life to God. God is always waiting for us and loves us, no matter what. God wants us to come to Him as we are, and nothing can change that.”
She wants to be someone that the little kids look up to, in and outside of sports, and she has a long list of Godly role models in her life that she looks up to as well.
“It is important to be a good role model, and it’s also important to always be kind, and show everyone how to be a good example for others, whether that is being a good sport when playing sports, or standing up for someone who is getting bullied. You can also encourage people and compliment them. I personally write Bible verses and encouragement quotes on sticky notes and stick them around school. I have done that for a couple of years now, and I think that’s a good and easy way to spread kindness. I think it’s also important to be a good role model, because there could be younger people in lower grades watching you as an example. Also, doing small acts of kindness like helping someone carry their backpack if they’re injured, opening the door for people, and smiling at them can make a difference in their day. There are so many ways that we can be a good role model that take little to no effort. As a Christian, it’s extremely important to live like Jesus,” Abigail said. “I really look up to my mom, my Mamaw, Ashlee Blubaugh, Lexie Powell, and Georgia Hinkle. There are so many people I look up to who have made an impact on my life. My Godly role models mean so much to me, and I couldn’t thank God enough for them, because they have helped me grow as a person and grow closer to God. They have always given me the best advice and have always been there for me, no matter what. I’m so grateful for them and what they have done for me. They have always helped me through the hardships and made an impact on my life.”
Abigail loves serving at her church’s Serve Days and helping to spread God’s love in the community.
“My favorite missions that I’ve been a part of are serving at my church’s Serve Days, going out into the community with my church to help spread God’s love, serving at my church every Wednesday and Sunday, and being able to minister to people of all ages. I serve in the kids’ ministry every Sunday and lead the kids’ dance team at my church. I also just started co-leading a small group in our students’ ministry. I love being able to serve others, and it grows me closer to God as I do it. I am also hoping to go on a mission trip soon and start serving people all over the world. I’ve always wanted to go on a mission trip.”
She gave some advice to anyone who might be new or struggling when it comes to having a relationship with God.
“My advice to them is to find a good Godly community, because God created us for community, and you can’t do life alone. It is important to have a Godly community to hold you accountable and help you through life. I would also recommend spending time with Him, whether that is engaging in His Word, praying, or having quiet time and asking Him to speak to you. Also, changing small habits in your day can help you grow closer to Him. For example, instead of listening to your regular music, you can turn on worship music, or Godly podcasts in the car on your way to work or school. I really enjoy listening to worship music and being able to feel God’s presence. Another thing I would recommend in the community category is finding a church that you like and joining a small group. Joining a small group can help you find a Godly community, and they can give you guidance, and hold you accountable. It is also important to engage in God’s Word frequently, because you can’t live like Jesus and have a good relationship with the Lord if you don’t read His word, just like if you are wanting to get closer to a friend. You normally talk to them more and want to spend time with them and get to know them to grow your relationship. That’s how it is with God too.”
Abigail added,
“A lot of people assume that they ‘have it all together’ for God to love them, and that’s not true. God wants us to come to Him as we are, and He loves us, no matter what. He sent His one and only Son to die for us on the cross and take the sins of the world so that we could have eternity with Him and get to know Him. because He loves us so much. I always say, ‘You don’t rinse off before you take a shower, because the shower is what gets you clean’. That saying represents God with us as well, because He cleanses us and makes us pure. It’s also extremely important not to be scared to step out in faith and start going all in for God and surrendering things to Him. God has a purpose and a plan for everyone and is waiting for them to come to Him, because He loves us.”
Abigail likes to spend time feeling God’s presence and listening to worship music.
“Some Godly rituals that I like to do throughout my day include listening to worship music. I like to turn on worship music while I’m getting ready in the morning or in the car. Feeling God’s presence is truly the best feeling, and I love starting my day off with Him and talking to Him as I’m listening to the worship music. I enjoy reading my Bible and Bible journaling, and I even go over my old church notes. I also try to talk to God throughout my day, saying things like, ‘Thank you God,’ or ‘Thank you for this food and let this nourish my body’. It’s easy to change small daily habits to grow closer to God. I also love doing small acts of kindness for others, like giving them compliments or holding the door open for them to show them God’s love and be a light for them. I’ve also learned to be myself and to love myself, because I know that God made me in His image and that He loves me, so I should love myself. I always try to be myself and not let others put me down. Show them that I can do anything as long as God is walking with me. God can do the impossible and will always be there for me and everyone else.”
She feels blessed and honored to have God in her life, and she has learned so much during her walk with God so far.
“He always provides and answers prayers. He has never failed me, and He never will, because ultimately, He loves us and has a plan for us. He is the King of Kings and will win every battle. Every time I pray, He answers them, and He gives me comfort through anything that I face. He is just always there for me and has truly proven that to me. I pray that everyone finds God and feel His presence like I have. He has also reminded me that a no from Him might just be a not yet, because His plan is greater than ours. He is perfect. He doesn’t make mistakes, and He wants to protect us. He knows what is best for us,” Abigail said. “The thing I’ve learned the most during my journey is just trusting His timing and His plan. He has definitely proven to me that He knows what’s best for me, and that His plan is better than mine. There have been times when I want things to happen, and I feel like I’m wanting to rush things but later realized that His timing was in fact better. I was actually happy that things didn’t go my way. God knows things I don’t, He has a plan for me, and He has reminded me of that. I’ve learned to trust Him more, and He has shown me that He keeps his word. He never fails me. God can do the miraculous. God’s plans are ultimately for our good, even if they differ from what we desire. I’ve learned to have more faith and trust in Him.”
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